London Sport – the network which offers support to local sports providers – has set a target of getting 1m more Londoners active by 2020, with a focus on women, the elderly, ethnic groups and the disabled.

“The vision is to make London the most physically active city in the world,” London Sport chief executive Peter Fitzboydon told delegates at the Women in Sport Insight Series event in London this morning (5 February).

Fitzboydon said that 1m more active Londoners would only be the first step towards the organisation’s mission – and even if the target was achieved the capital would still lag behind other European nations.

He highlighted mobilising the growing black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) and elderly population in London as a “challenge” for his organisation and local sports providers, as the demographic groups fell below national average in terms of physical activity.

Women and disabled people are also less likely to take part in physical activity, with the gender gap in London greater than the national figures, according to Sport England Active People Survey data presented.

“By 2040 there will be an ethnic majority in London. We as a sector have to make sure we’re ready for this and have the right offer,” said Fitzboydon. “There’s a growing population of people 50+ and we’re not ready for that challenge.”

He told a room occupied by governing body and sports provider representatives that London Sport’s role was to provide the link between a number of interested parties including Public Health England, local authorities and governing bodies.

“Hand-holding” in terms of funding advice, governance and insight is provided. Fitzboydon also said that sports providers in London were not applying enough for Sport England money compared to the rest of the nation.

“We’re the first stop shop in London,” he said. “Any questions come to us; we’re trying to revolutionise a city.”